Sadly, they don't all play the National Anthem at military bases. Camp Pendleton in CA doesn't, and it's one of the largest Marine bases in the world.... We questioned it, but got no response. The tiny base we're stationed at now (very few military, mostly civilians/contractors) still does.

This is the sort of stuff that should be given/taught to our schoolchildren. I can't believe the transformation this country has taken since the Viet Nam war. Unfortunately, it's not the right kind -- but, what we now have is a bunch of whiney self absorbed and down right disrespectful children and young adults now, with the exception of current and former service members. Thank God for the branches of service or an old man like me could get really down in the dumps.

Thank you for the information and I really believe it should see some other form of exposure other than in this forum.

Sadly, they don't all play the National Anthem at military bases. Camp Pendleton in CA doesn't, and it's one of the largest Marine bases in the world.... We questioned it, but got no response. The tiny base we're stationed at now (very few military, mostly civilians/contractors) still does.

Have your husband, asuming that you are not the active member, write a point paper to the base general and it should get changed back. Oh wait you are not at Pendleton anymore. I can not wait to get to Japan where the base has a theater that the kids can attend so they get this experience. I am just glad to hear that those Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen in Iraq had their game face on. Truly I am amazed many times a year at the courage and character that serves our country. I am just greatful to get ot be a part of it day in and day out. In the famous words of Toby Keith, "I don't do it for the money...."

This is the sort of stuff that should be given/taught to our schoolchildren. I can't believe the transformation this country has taken since the Viet Nam war. Unfortunately, it's not the right kind -- but, what we now have is a bunch of whiney self absorbed and down right disrespectful children and young adults now, with the exception of current and former service members. Thank God for the branches of service or an old man like me could get really down in the dumps.

Thank you for the information and I really believe it should see some other form of exposure other than in this forum.

I guess it doesn't surprise me all that much, which is really sad. Though there are non military exceptions, I'd bet just about anything that most of the Gen-Xers, and Gen-Whiners did not have any family members who served in Viet Nam, or in the military at all for that matter. My dad was a search and rescue pilot at Bien Hoa and Tuy Hua back in 1967 -68. I was only 6 years old when he came back. Several years later, I found an old scrapbook in our basement that basically chronicled his flying career, including his one year tour of duty. I couldn't believe some of the things he did to save the lives of the soldiers and civilians during his 17 years as a pilot. Without that appreciation for what courage and sacrifice truly is, the lack of appreciation is sure to follow unless people are constantly reminded.

Charlotte,

Where did you read this letter from Chaplain Higgins? I figure it had to hit some form of the print media to be picked up, no matter how obscure. In this Age of Information, circulating it through the net wouldn't be too hard. Not saying it would get the same exposure as in the primary media outlets. But let's face it, they have an aversion to publishing good news like this anyway, whether it has to do with the military or not. Think about the song "Dirty Laundry" by Don Henley. Here are the verses along with one of the refrains. It pretty much sums up my view of news people in general. Every network out there has people that subscribe to this philosophy. Sad, but true.

Once I had to shush some teenage girls from messing around and giggling during the National Anthem (this was ON BASE), but they shut up once I said that I was sure their parents would be so proud of them, being so disrespectful. My kids would be whacked upside the head, and they know it. Or adults who talk during it. Also my favorites...NOT.

Thanks for sharing. I've stood at just about every base in both theaters for one reason or another and these stories flat-out choke me up with pride for the dudes and ladies standing in the gap today. Not the ones I was with, but today... right now... this moment... some young or old, airman, marine, sailor, or soldier is working, running, eating, sleeping, or maybe just sitting for a movie at some remote base in Iraq, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, or who-knows-where. That's who I think about when I read posts like this one, or look at the flag. Because they are sticking to it, getting the mission done, despite personal preferences, family, heat, equipment, or what-not. And they do it without complaint and no expectation other then a pay check on time, and the certain knowledge that someone back home in uniform is looking after their loved ones, because that's what they do when they are not deployed. I'm incredibly proud of our troops, from the no-striper up to the GO, who lay it on the line and know what 'mission first' really means.

I've rambled enought... BL: Thanks for posting.

Oh... and Len, I agree...mandatory national service for not less then 2 years... and tie it to citizenship. (Yes, Starship Troopers is an awesome book).

v/r,

Mike Helvey

"We enjoy warmth because we have been cold. We appreciate light because
we have been in darkness. By the same token, we can experience joy
because we have known sadness.." -David Weatherford

I'm with you guys on the mandatory two-year service requirement for citizenship. I think this country would be a lot stronger and a lot more appreciative if we had the requirement.

I'm proud to say my 21-year-old son is waiting on his waiver approval after a year-long wait for taking ADD meds and will hopefully soon be swearing in and joining the USAF. And my 14-year-old daughter's dream for the last four years has been to fly jets in the Navy, so hopefully they will realize for what it is they are serving. Can't get anyone to join the USMC like mom and dad, but hey, close enough...

At my niece's h.s. graduation last weekend, three dumbass bozo 20-somethings sitting behind us blabbed and laughed through the entire National Anthem. After which I gave them my best "You effin' moron" look and said SERIOUSLY??? Even my 22-year-old daughter was disgusted with them and made sure they knew it. Infuriates me.

Oh... and Len, I agree...mandatory national service for not less then 2 years... and tie it to citizenship. (Yes, Starship Troopers is an awesome book).

v/r,

Mike Helvey

I've got to say that I have never been a big fan of the draft. While I do think that military service could do a lot of people some good, I would like for them to come to that conclusion on their own, and here's why: I am not saying that everyone who gets drafted wouldn't make a good soldier, sailor, etc. But I think it's also fair to say that there will be a certain number in that pool who won't buy into the concept of military service. They would only be there because they had to be, and they would only do enough just to get by. When the shooting starts, that is not the person I want to have watching my back. That's just not going to cut it. The person I want next to me is the one who wants to be there. That's the one who understands that there is something worth defending out there that is bigger than just him / her. There is a clear understanding that it is an honor and a privilege to serve one's country. For our Armed Forces to have to settle for anything less than an individual who wants to serve because of their sense of patriotism and passion for our ideals is to basically settle for second best. That's not a chance I am willing to take.

That being said, there are some posers out there too. I remember when I was still on active duty and Desert Storm broke out, you all of a sudden had a slew of "conscientious objectors". One guy actually said on camera, "I joined reserves to earn money for college. I never thought I would get recalled." What a joke!! How can you have conscientious objectors in an all-volunteer force?! Too bad you can't run everybody through a polygraph when they go sign up. The bottom line is you've got to have the passion baby!